God Our High Priest, Mediator

Job 9:1-4,14-16,32-35; Hebrews 4:14-16

Job’s complaint in chapter 9 is that there is no way he can reach God to take God to court to declare his innocence. He is not sure that if he summoned God that God would answer. In verse 29 Job says, “What’s the use of trying.” Then he states what our Hebrew scripture will later fulfill. “If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together…then I could speak to God without fear.” But Job bemoans he can’t do it in his own strength. Some translations use the word advocate for mediator – like a lawyer to help us in our defense. The Hebrew word can also be translated as umpire – an impartial judge who would make bargaining safe.

Hebrews answers his plea, yet it comes years later after Christ has done his work on the cross for us bringing us justification to God. Jesus is said to be the great high priest. In the Old Testament the Israelites would offer sacrifices to a priest who would forgive their sins. This is no longer needed after Christ being the ultimate sacrifice for our sins has brought us into connection with God. Since Christ lived as a human he can sympathize with our weaknesses, tested as we are, yet without sin. Due to Christ’s work on the cross we can boldly approach the throne of grace so we can receive mercy and grace to help in time of need.

What a difference from Job’s fear of God and of approaching God in his own strength. Job’s “if only” has come true in the New Testament due to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Christ is seen then as the great high priest – an impartial judge who can approach God for us.

When we go through rough times we have a mediator who knows of our complaints, our questions, and our doubts. Due to this we can boldly approach God with these knowing that our mediator can sympathize with us. God will provide what is needed to meet any challenge, since our prayers are offered through a sympathetic and well-placed mediator, Christ. What a blessing we have today in our High Priest Mediator that only Job could wish for.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Job’s Restoration/David’s Redemption

  Job 42:1-6, 10-17; Psalms 34:1-8, 19-22   After Job has a long talk from God, Job answers acknowledging his own lack of knowledge compared with God’s. He talks about uttering things he did not understand. Now after hearing and seeing God he repents in dust and ashes. What is his reward for this humility? God not only delivers him from all his troubles, but God restores his fortunes twice as much as he had before. He lives till 140 seeing four generations. In the 34 th Psalm, David praises God for deliverance from trouble. He addresses the myth that the righteous have no troubles – just ask Job. David says in verse 19 that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will rescue them from them all. He brings up the point, however, that God is with us during our struggles. This suffering soul cried out and was heard by God who saved him from every trouble. He tells how the angel of the Lord surrounds those who fear him and delivers them. Verse 8 talks about t...
Read more

Wiping Away Tears

  Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-5a   It was hard choosing which two Lectionary readings to write on this week. The gospel story of the Rising of Lazarus is one of my favorites. But since I’ve touched on that account in the past I was drawn to the Isaiah and Revelation passages that talk about wiping away tears. Isaiah prophecies of a time to come where the Lord of Hosts will make a feast of the best foods for all people. Earlier in verse 4 it tells how the enemies of the Lord will be defeated and the poor, needy, and distressed championed. Then it is said that the Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces and disgrace will be removed. Not only this great feast for all but the Lord will swallow up death forever. Salvation has come to those who have waited on the Lord. Instead of tears they will be glad and rejoice in God’s salvation. In Revelation we have John’s vision of God’s final salvation coming. He sees a new heaven and a new earth. A voice tells him this is the...
Read more

Reverent Submission II

Mark 10:35-45, Hebrews 5:1-10 In the gospel of Mark, James and John ask Jesus if they could have the high status of sitting next to Christ in glory. In answer Christ asks the question of whether they can drink the cup – basically go through the same suffering Jesus will go through and be metaphorically baptized by fire like Christ will be. To this they reply yes. Jesus confirms that they will actually do so – little do they realize what this will mean. However, he can not appoint who will sit next to him, only God can. The other ten disciples when they hear of this arrogance of James and John become angry with them. Jesus turns this into a teaching moment turning the hierarchy of the world upside down. He says he who wants to be great must be a servant. In regard to James and John wanting first place in the seating Christ says who ever wishes to be first must be a slave of all. He hits them with a surprising sentence – something they didn’t expect. It is that he, the Son of Man, ca...
Read more